The cost of the Commission on a Bill of Rights from its establishment in March 2011, to its final report in December 2012 was approximately £700,000. This figure is also quoted on pg 39 of its final report which is publicly available at http://www.justice.gov.uk/about/cbr<\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/194", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Hughes"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bermondsey and Old Southwark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Hughes"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-20T09:27:53.9422912Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bill of Rights Commission"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the cost to the public purse was of the Commission on a Bill of Rights.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1516", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andy Slaughter"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hammersmith"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Andy Slaughter"}
], "uin" : "210669"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93211", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93211/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government has no plans to do so. In line with the terms of the protocol we have with the Law Commission, I submitted my preliminary views on the recommendations in the report to the Law Commissioner in March. In September 2014 the Government proposed to the Law Commission that a final response should be given in the next Parliament. This will allow the next Government to give the proposals full consideration without the current pressures on Parliamentary time. The Family Justice Council is also carrying out further work to clarify the meaning of \u2018financial need\u2019 in divorce cases. This will include the Council producing guidance for separating couples to help them understand the likely outcomes of their case. We expect this to be completed by the end of the year<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/194", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Hughes"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bermondsey and Old Southwark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Hughes"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-20T09:34:00.4734653Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Matrimonial Property"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when his Department plans to provide an initial response to the Law Commission's report, Matrimonial Property, Needs and Agreements, published in March 2014.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1425", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Jonathan Djanogly"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Huntingdon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Jonathan Djanogly"}
], "uin" : "210514"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93351", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93351/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice and is subject to regular meetings with me to review its effectiveness. The last meeting took place in June 2014.<\/p> <\/p> I am satisfied that the OPG is performing effectively. During 2013/14 they introduced an online tool for making lasting powers of attorney (LPA), reduced the statutory waiting and objection periods for LPA and, by introducing end-to-end case management, have streamlined the way in which they process applications. They have also reviewed and improved their regime for supervising court appointed deputies.<\/p> <\/p> The number of complaints received in 2013/14 reduced significantly to 3,549, compared with 11,617 complaints received in 2012/13 and 14,814 in 2011/12, despite a significant increase in caseloads across the OPG.<\/p> <\/p> The OPG is not complacent and has undertaken work to enable them to compare complaints by type, yielding more information about trends to help them address the issues and concerns raised by their customers.<\/p> <\/p> Details of the OPG\u2019s performance are published in their annual report which can be found at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/corporate-reports/OPG/opg-annual-report-accounts-2013-14.pdf<\/p> <\/p> Copies of the annual account and the OPG Framework document which sets out the arrangements for governance and accountability, have already been placed in the Library.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/194", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Hughes"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bermondsey and Old Southwark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Hughes"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-20T13:50:11.9071766Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Office of the Public Guardian"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Office of the Public Guardian.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/410", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jon Trickett"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hemsworth"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jon Trickett"}
], "uin" : "210333"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/92887", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/92887/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Justice does not collect this information.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/194", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Hughes"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bermondsey and Old Southwark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Hughes"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-20T09:22:47.3198018Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Maintenance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many maintenance orders made in Spain for enforcement in the UK have not been enforced in the last five years; and for what periods such orders apply.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/478", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birkenhead"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Frank Field"}
], "uin" : "210179"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/92677", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/92677/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is committed to protecting elderly and vulnerable people, and to making sure that anyone responsible for abuse is dealt with appropriately.<\/p> The Public Guardian has power to investigate cases where concerns are raised about the actions of a person or persons acting under a registered power of attorney, and to apply to the Court to revoke the power of attorney where necessary to prevent abuse. The Public Guardian can also refer cases to health and care authorities, who can act under statutory safeguarding powers to protect an individual who may be at risk, and to the police if he suspects a criminal offence has been committed.<\/p> Anyone who suspects that someone acting under a registered power of attorney is abusing that position should report any suspicion of abuse immediately to the Office of the Public Guardian by:<\/p> Email OPG.Safeguardingunit@publicguardian.gsi.gov.uk<\/a>. or<\/p> Telephone: 0300 456 0300<\/p> A power of attorney is a private arrangement where the donor chooses who they wish to appoint and therefore the Government feels that State intervention in this process should be limited. The Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) application process has been designed so that anyone can complete and register an LPA without the need for professional advice, though with significant safeguards (such as the need for a certificate provider to confirm that the donor has capacity and is not under duress) to cut down on fraud and abuse.<\/p> LPAs also have to be registered prior to use, which is a change from previous Enduring Powers of Attorney which only had to be registered when the donor lost capacity. In the year 2013/14, the Office of the Public Guardian registered 311,000 powers of attorney.<\/p> Requiring individuals to attend court to swear an oath would place a significant strain on court resources (as there is often more than one attorney for each power) and is likely to mean that individuals will feel that they need legal advice to assist them, which would incur legal fees. There might also be an increase in the cost of registering a power to cover the Court cost, which may lead to people not making LPAs, and therefore not being able to make provision for the future.<\/p> Under sections 22 and 23 of the Mental Capacity Act, the Court of Protection has wide-ranging powers to decide on issues relating to the operation or validity of an LPA.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/194", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Hughes"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bermondsey and Old Southwark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Hughes"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "209849"}
, {"_value" : "209850"}
, {"_value" : "209854"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-20T12:13:04.8189743Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Powers of Attorney"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will assess the merits of the court system assuming responsibility for reviewing power of attorney judgements.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/410", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jon Trickett"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hemsworth"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jon Trickett"}
], "uin" : "209861"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/92678", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/92678/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " No such discussions have taken place.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/194", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Hughes"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bermondsey and Old Southwark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Hughes"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-20T09:03:21.9764378Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Guildford Four"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defence on the embargo on Government-held files relating to the Guildford Four.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4130", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Down"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ms Margaret Ritchie"}
], "uin" : "209905"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/92679", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/92679/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is committed to protecting elderly and vulnerable people, and to making sure that anyone responsible for abuse is dealt with appropriately.<\/p> The Public Guardian has power to investigate cases where concerns are raised about the actions of a person or persons acting under a registered power of attorney, and to apply to the Court to revoke the power of attorney where necessary to prevent abuse. The Public Guardian can also refer cases to health and care authorities, who can act under statutory safeguarding powers to protect an individual who may be at risk, and to the police if he suspects a criminal offence has been committed.<\/p> Anyone who suspects that someone acting under a registered power of attorney is abusing that position should report any suspicion of abuse immediately to the Office of the Public Guardian by:<\/p> Email OPG.Safeguardingunit@publicguardian.gsi.gov.uk<\/a>. or<\/p> Telephone: 0300 456 0300<\/p> A power of attorney is a private arrangement where the donor chooses who they wish to appoint and therefore the Government feels that State intervention in this process should be limited. The Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) application process has been designed so that anyone can complete and register an LPA without the need for professional advice, though with significant safeguards (such as the need for a certificate provider to confirm that the donor has capacity and is not under duress) to cut down on fraud and abuse.<\/p> LPAs also have to be registered prior to use, which is a change from previous Enduring Powers of Attorney which only had to be registered when the donor lost capacity. In the year 2013/14, the Office of the Public Guardian registered 311,000 powers of attorney.<\/p> Requiring individuals to attend court to swear an oath would place a significant strain on court resources (as there is often more than one attorney for each power) and is likely to mean that individuals will feel that they need legal advice to assist them, which would incur legal fees. There might also be an increase in the cost of registering a power to cover the Court cost, which may lead to people not making LPAs, and therefore not being able to make provision for the future.<\/p> Under sections 22 and 23 of the Mental Capacity Act, the Court of Protection has wide-ranging powers to decide on issues relating to the operation or validity of an LPA.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/194", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Hughes"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bermondsey and Old Southwark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Hughes"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "209850"}
, {"_value" : "209854"}
, {"_value" : "209861"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-20T12:13:04.4124497Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Powers of Attorney"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what procedures are in place for power of attorney to be removed from a person who has abused that power; and what procedures there are for people to complain about someone who has joint power of attorney who may be abusing the fund.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/410", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jon Trickett"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hemsworth"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jon Trickett"}
], "uin" : "209849"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/92681", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/92681/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is committed to protecting elderly and vulnerable people, and to making sure that anyone responsible for abuse is dealt with appropriately.<\/p> The Public Guardian has power to investigate cases where concerns are raised about the actions of a person or persons acting under a registered power of attorney, and to apply to the Court to revoke the power of attorney where necessary to prevent abuse. The Public Guardian can also refer cases to health and care authorities, who can act under statutory safeguarding powers to protect an individual who may be at risk, and to the police if he suspects a criminal offence has been committed.<\/p> Anyone who suspects that someone acting under a registered power of attorney is abusing that position should report any suspicion of abuse immediately to the Office of the Public Guardian by:<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/194", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Hughes"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bermondsey and Old Southwark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Hughes"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-17T09:55:32.4260139Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Convention on Human Rights"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government plans to sign and ratify Protocol 16 to the European Convention on Human Rights.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4099", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Somerset"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jacob Rees-Mogg"}
], "uin" : "210425"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93342", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93342/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "